Trump shakes hands with Pence and Obama participates in Carter’s funeral, by Reuters

Written by Stephanie Kelly

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – US President-elect Donald Trump greeted and shook hands with former Vice President Mike Pence on Thursday as the current and previous administrations gathered for former President Jimmy Carter’s funeral in Washington.

The relationship between Republican Trump and Pence has been tense since the end of Trump’s first term, which lasted from 2017 through 2021. During that period, Pence served Trump loyally but rejected Trump’s request to overturn his 2020 election defeat on January 6, 2021. On that day, he stormed Trump supporters at the US Capitol, some of whom chanted, “Hang Mike Pence.”

At Carter’s (NYSE:) funeral on Thursday, Pence sat behind Trump, who was in the second row with other former presidents and first ladies, including former presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama. Biden and Harris were in the front row.

Former Vice President Al Gore was sitting next to Pence. As Trump entered his line before the funeral ceremony, Al Gore stood and shook Trump’s hand, then Pence stood. Trump extended his hand to Pence.

Trump and Pence shook hands with little expression on their faces, and Pence nodded. Pence then shook Trump’s wife Melania’s hand before they all sat down. Pence’s wife, Karen, remained seated and did not acknowledge Trump after he shook hands with her husband.

Trump and Obama spoke continuously before the funeral ceremony, and Obama nodded seriously in response to Trump before smiling. Former First Lady Michelle Obama did not attend the funeral.

Pence did not support his former boss during last year’s presidential elections, which Trump won over current Vice President Kamala Harris, a Democrat.

On January 6, 2021, Pence refused Trump’s instructions to delay or halt the certification of incumbent President Joe Biden’s 2020 election victory over Trump, drawing an angry rebuke from Trump during the riot.

Pence said his life was in danger that day, and he urged Republican primary voters not to choose Trump as their nominee for the White House last year.